The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-05-21
AN EvANGELIsrs NOSE PULLED.
While Park Ridges Good People
Looked on With Pleasure.
From the Ne,c York Times.

From the Netc York Times.
The novel feat of tweaking an evangelist's
nose and pulling out handful of minis
ter's beard was presented to the approving
gaze of the villagers of Park Ridge, N. J. i,
on Sunday night by James Leach, stationer,
OF So Nassau street, this city. Until about
three weeks ago, when Park Ridge was in
vaded by an evangelist from Newark named
Mason, the people of that settlement lived
Ill peace and happiness, and were very well
satisfied with their lot. Most of the men
who hive there do business in the city
and consequently have little time at home
TO attend to affairs other than their own
Such members of their families as remain
at home appear always to have got along
socially. Every family seems to have been
content with its own highland cottage, and
neither envy nor any of the other unchris-
tlanllke feelings found disturbing place in
the social life of the place. Without being
specially demonstrative about it the little
community supported two or three churches
and conducted itself in neighborly and
very pleasant fashion.
This peaceful condition did not last long
after Evangelist Mason descended upon the
place. He went there evidently with the
idea that Park Ridge needed to be shaken
mp, and proceeded to that task with the vigor
that only zealOt can summon His was no
persuasive mission. From the hour that he
pitched his tent he began to berate his
hearers. The Rev, Mr.. Ludwig, of the Re
formed church, refused to join in his efforts
for revival, and was made the target of
his first attack. He denounced him as a
devil and leader of imps Mr. Ludwig is
venerable man of peace and let the attack
pass without notice. Thus emboldened the
evangelist proceeded to attack the village
people generallg. Some of his illusions
were so pointed as to Indicate the persons at
whom he aimed, but he was strongest when
he assailed the community. He denounced
the quiet little village as pest-hole of sin,
and described the depravity of the people
with unsparlng tongue. His methods
served to advertise him and to crowd his
tent.
When the novelty of this thing wore off
people began to regard the evangelist as an
lmpudent intruder There was talk of
driving him out of town il he did not soon
go of his own accord. After fortnight
had passed this talk became aggressive and
general. People began to go to the meet
lngs IN expectation of a row. On Sunday
night the tent was packed, and crowd
gathered outside. The evangelist took up
his usual line of vituperation, and had
worked himself up into righteous fury
when Mr.. Leach rose from his seat at the
back of the tent.
'If you mean anybody by that sort of
talk, Mr.. Leach asked, why don't you give
names?'
The evangelist threw up his hands and
cried: praise the Lord2 some ones hit"
The Rev. Samuel Switzer, of the Baptist
church, who was sitting on the platform,
threw out his arms and exclaimed also,
Praise the Lord Mr.. Leach started to-
ward the platform. A path was made for
him through the crowd. The evangelist
and the minister kept on shouting. There
was too much excitement for the crowd to
hold as Mr.. Leach mounted the
platform and many people shouted.
If any conoquy occurred between the
evangelist and the irate stationer no one
heard it, but every one saw Mr. Leach's
right arm shoot out and the evangelist go
down still with his arms outstretched and
shouting Praise the Lord!o Mr. Leach
followed up his blow by twisting the evan
gelist's nose. He seemed about to do more
when a lusty praise the LordI' from
Pastor Switzer diverted his attention to-
ward that person, of whose beard he
promptly plucked a handful
The scene becanla very noisy and confus-
ing after that If the evangelist and the
minister had any sympathizers nothing to
show it occurred, while the villagers shouted
encouragement and approval to Mr.. Leach.
He insisted that the evangelist should leave
town at once. The Rev. Mr. Switzer said
he should do nothing of the kind, but would
continue the revival as long as he felt the
community needed it. A general and noisy
alteration ensued until nearly midnight
which settled nothing. Park Ridge threatens
to get a reputation if the meetings in the
tent continue